Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
